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3 things you can learn from drawing

By Becky McCray

Visual Notetaking bookletAt South by Southwest, I again ran into Frank Robinson, Lockhart, TX. He was just coming out of the session on visual note taking, and he taught me three things about drawing and thinking.

  • A mistake is something you did unintentionally, that looks different than what you wanted.
  • If you can draw out the problem, you can solve it.
  • Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is a good beginners guide.

Do you draw?

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About Becky McCray

Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
  • Downtown is your town’s core: How to make your case - February 22, 2021
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  • In an economic crisis, spend your brainpower before your dollars - November 25, 2020
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  • How has 2020 changed the challenges rural small towns face? Tell us here - October 20, 2020
  • The Idea Friendly Method to surviving a business crisis - October 6, 2020
  • Join me for the Rural Renewal Symposium online Oct 13 - September 26, 2020
  • Cheap placemaking idea: instant murals - September 11, 2020
  • Refilling the rural business pipeline - July 7, 2020
  • Huge vacant buildings: grants to renovate? - June 9, 2020

May 30, 2010 Filed Under: rural Tagged With: video

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Comments

  1. Mike says

    May 30, 2010 at 12:40 pm

    I don’t draw, but I’m very interested in starting, largely for the reason you’ve outlined above. I just have to get over my fear of other people seeing it. Any tips on starting?

  2. Becky McCray says

    May 30, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    Well, Frank did mention that Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is a good beginners guide. I took an art class in high school, and it was great. But that was… long ago. I think I need a refresher!

    Other than that, I think it is just start drawing. :)

  3. Andy Hayes | Travel Online Partners says

    May 31, 2010 at 1:35 am

    I don’t draw that often, but in my brain I think in terms of pictures. Most of my best work is in Powerpoint in fact. I’m left handed, which helps… :)

  4. Becky McCray says

    May 31, 2010 at 3:04 am

    Andy, I’m both-handed. That’s why I’m easily confused. :)

  5. Lara Dickson says

    May 31, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    Do I draw? Boy do I ever. Becky, your question prompted me to write about how doodles and notes go from paper to the web or some other client project. Thanks for the exercise! (fresh post on the deepdishcreative.com blog)

    Lara @deepdishcreates

  6. Becky McCray says

    May 31, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    Lara, I’m glad you draw, and doubly glad you drew inspiration from it. :)

  7. MissDazey says

    May 31, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    I remember learning that writing, drawing, etc is the best way to learn anything. In fact, I have read that in several motivation books. Seems that helps our brains connect the information faster and better. I have often wondered if writing and/or creating via computer has the same affect.

    PS: Maybe that’s why teacher’s used to make students write something a hundred times.

  8. Becky McCray says

    May 31, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    Miss Dazey, I had not even thought about that part. You are absolutely correct.

  9. Ben Eubanks says

    June 9, 2010 at 12:36 am

    A podcast of the SXSW visual note-taking session is here: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=134306593

  10. Becky McCray says

    June 9, 2010 at 12:40 am

    Thank you, Ben!

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